Our staff at Von Bibra Mitsubishi
TONY MCKENNA
DEALER PRINCIPAL – FERRY ROAD
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
35 years, all with von Bibra.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
Over 35 years I have had many positions with von Bibra - Mechanic, Reconditioning Manager, Salesperson, General Manager, New car Manager, Sales Manager and General Sales Manager taking over as Dealer Principal of Ferry Rd in 2024.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
I have not worked for anyone else.
Where did you grow up?
Ulverstone Tasmania.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
'Ability - is what you are capable of. Motivation – gets you doing it. Attitude – determines how well you do it. Habit – will keep you doing it.'
Michael Czarnecki
GENERAL SALES MANAGER – FERRY ROAD
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
Over 10 years now
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
I have worked with von Bibra’s for the full 10 years. Nissan salesperson, Mitsubishi & Subaru salesperson, Relief sales manager, Used car and LDV sales manager & General Sales Manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
I was a Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Operations Manager for a pharmaceutical company for 5 years.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about this industry is it gives people an opportunity, not only to form a successful career but an opportunity to grow, learn and improve as an individual. I have learnt a lot in my time here and am fortunate to have witnesses the growth that happens in every one of us that work for Von Bibra as well of the growth of the company itself.
Where did you grow up?
Quite proudly in Hobart, Tasmania! Where my father, as an apprentice mechanic use to purchase from the parts department of the von Bibra Group.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
ASHLEY AHOKAS
MITSUBISHI MANAGER - FERRY ROAD
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
6 years
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
5 years at von Bibra, Hyundai salesperson, Mitsubishi & Suzuki salesperson, Relief Manager then into my current role.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Previously worked as a subcontractor working as an electrician on the NBN project
What do you love most about your job?
I love working with a great supportive team around me and I learn something new each day.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Hobart, Tasmania
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Mistakes are a fact of life, it is the response to error that really matters
Jye Melverton
SERVICE MANAGER – FERRY ROAD
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
8 years
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
I’ve been with von Bibra for 8 years I started with work experience, then became an Apprentice mechanic, Service advisor, before taking on an Assistant Service Manager role. In 2024 I moved into the role of the Service Manager of Ferry Rd.
What do you love most about your job?
Every day is a new challenge.
Where did you grow up?
Gold coast
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
If someone tells you that you can’t do something, go ahead and prove them wrong.
Kevin Jones
SERVICE MANAGER – FERRY ROAD
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
27 years.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
17 years in total as Service Advisor, Sales Consultant & Service Manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Surfers City Holden - Technician, HSV Workshop Controller, Service Advisor.
What do you love most about your job?
Working as a team and exceeding our customers expectations!
Where did you grow up?
Sydney.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
'Make the most out of life, you only get one chance!'
Martin Simpson
DEALER PRINCIPAL - ROBINA
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
17 years, all with von Bibra.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
17 years – I have worked as a Salesperson, Sales Manager, General Sales Manager & General Manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Grumps Wharf Restaurant, Manager.
What do you love most about your job?
The relationships you build with customers and staff over time as well as seeing people start at the bottom, grab an opportunity and create a successful life filled with opportunities they can create by doing what’s right not what’s easy!
I love, that I still love my job after 17 years.
Where did you grow up?
Currumbin and Ashmore always lived on the Gold Coast.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
'If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life, with confidence you have won even before you have started.'
Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react.
If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me!
Ryan McCabe
GENERAL SALES MANAGER - ROBINA
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
16 Years
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
Joined the von Bibra group in June 2018 as General Sales Manager at Robina.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Toyota 7 Years, BMW 3 years, Started off selling Holden, Trainee Sales Person, Salesperson, Sales Manager, Business Manager and General Sales Manager
What do you love most about your job?
It is exciting buying a new car and it is great seeing people everyday picking up their new cars and having a great experience.
I love, that I still love my job after 17 years.
Where did you grow up?
Bundaberg then the Sunshine Coast
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
The harder I work the luckier I get"
JAMIE MORRISH
MITSUBISHI SALES MANAGER - ROBINA
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
3 years in the Auto Industry.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
I started 2021 as a sales trainee for Kia, then move in 2022 To GWM, then in 2023 promoted to the Relief sales Manager, now in 2024 Mitsubishi Sales Manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
I worked as a Sales Consultant for Ray White.
What do you love most about your job?
Meeting new people every day and learning new things.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in England and moved to Sydney when I was 17.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard".
ANTONY PAUL
SERVICE MANAGER MITSUBISHI - ROBINA
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
12 years
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
12 years, I started as a Service Advisor, Parts Interpreter, 2IC Service Manager and into my current role of Service Manager at Robina.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Gamble Jarvis Plant - Depot Manager.
What do you love most about your job?
The people and the culture.
Where did you grow up?
South West London, England
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
He who dares, wins!
Danny Pickering
GENERAL SALES MANAGER - HELENSVALE
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
Since 2013.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
3 Years Sales Consultant then moved into Sales Manager role with Hyundai and Suzuki, then the Used Car Sales Manager. I have recently taken up the position of General Sales Manager at Helensvale.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Advertising Companies in the UK then spent a short period of time working in Canada.
What do you love most about your job?
Everyday is different to the next with new challenges.
Where did you grow up?
Blackpool, England.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
A bad attitude is like a flat tyre, you can't go anywhere until you change it.
JEFF HALE
MITSUBISHI SALES MANAGER - HELENSVALE
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
Commenced in the Auto industry in 2007 with von Bibra Nissan at Ashmore as a sales consultant.
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
I have worked for von Bibra for over 15 years, in Sales at Ashmore before moving to Ferry Rd then onto my current role at Helensvale as the Mitsubishi Sales Manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Southport Golf Club for 14yrs as golf shop manager and 5yrs as General Manager. Sold construction machinery for 4yrs prior to getting into the motor vehicle industry.
What do you love most about your job?
Always had a passion for cars but its the interaction with people. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I love, that I still love my job after 17 years.
Where did you grow up?
Born in Brisbane and moved to the Gold Coast at the age of 3. Lived at the northern end of the Coast at Anglers Paradise (not many people would remember as it has now merged with Runway Bay) Went to Biggera Waters Primary and Southport State High
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Treat people the way you want to be treated, talk to people the way you want to be talked to. Respect is earned.
LUKE WINSLADE
SERVICE MANAGER - HELENSVALE
How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
17 years
How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
11 years , parts interpreter, service advisor service manager.
Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Avon City Ford in Christchurch NZ as a parts interpreter.
What do you love most about your job?
Making customers happy.
I love, that I still love my job after 17 years.
Where did you grow up?
Christchurch NZ.
Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Don't stop at the first rung on the ladder, there is many more above you.